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Hawgwans: Most ESL teachers work in private language institutes called hawgwans. Hawgwans employ a number of instructors for conversation and occasionally for writing classes. The typical employee can expect to work 20 to 30 hours per week. The majority of classes are conducted early in the afternoon to late evening; 2-9pm is quite typical. Most classes have between 10 to 12 students. For these schools 12 students per class is often a maximum, though sometimes class size extends this number. Most (probably all) hawgwans provide free accommodations or in some cases a monthly housing allowance. The average salary is currently about 2.1-2.3 million won per month. When I first started teaching ESL in 2001, hawgwans paid the average monthly salary of 1.8 million won.

Adult English language institutes: This type of school consists of adult classes only. College students are typical, business persons who may need to better their English for work, medical personnel, those traveling or planning to live abroad and anyone else who wants to improve their English ability. Most (perhaps all) of this type of institute will provide either free housing or a monthly housing allowance for instructors. The average pay ranges from 2.4-3.2 million won per month.

Private business programs: Many large corporate groups have their own in-house ESL programs for their improving employee's English ability. The typical instructor can expect to teach part-time. Full time positions are available but are rare. Also, many corporations hire part-time English instructors to teach higher management. The pay varies but is usually 40 000-50 000 won per class typically. Classes are usually early morning 2-5 days a week. One such class I taught was a vice president (one of ten vice presidents) of a large chemical Corporation. Classes were twice a week at 7:00 am. Another part-time class was in a large export company, teaching 3 days a week from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.

University Institutes: Major universities in Seoul, as well as some provincial universities, operate foreign language institutes. Some pupils are university students, but the majority of students are businesspeople. There are also elementary and middle school students as well. These institutes tend to have the highest hiring standards in Korea; most instructors have MA degrees in TESOL or other fields, and years of teaching experience.

Public school programs usually require a more formal application process opposed to applying for hawgwan positions and you may even do an online webcam interview. Other public school programs will usually require a
phone interview. Public schools are located throughout all of Korea, from elementary, middle to high school. If you are already in Korea airfare money is usually reimbursed upon starting classes. You will teach 3-5 classes daily with 25-35 students on average and also be required to be in the school from 8:30 to 4:30. Housing is provided or a monthly allowance. Pay ranges from 1.8-2.5 million won per month depending on your experience and qualifications.

University Departments: Most universities in Korea employ full-time English conversation instructors. University classes tend to be large with little personal contact with the students. Housing may either be free and usually on campus or housing allowance offered. Many universities hire yearly for full time ESL teachers to teach their students. Pay depends mostly on the amount of classes per week. For example you may possibly receive 1.6 million won per month for teaching 10 classes a week.

Editing/PR/Media: Quite a few public relations and advertising companies in Korea hire foreigners to work as copy editors, and occasionally as teachers. These positions are very hard to obtain as they are quite popular with the resident English-teaching community. There are also opportunities to appear on television programs, movies and radio. Most of these positions pay quite well and some provide housing assistance. Seoul is the best area for these opportunities.